Object Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
Far West Model Ship by Charles Parsons |
Object Name |
Model, Instructional |
Description |
Far West Model Ship by Charles Parsons is a handmade wooden boat. The boat oval in shape with a painted pink base. The deck is unpainted. The housing on the ship is painted white, with grey/blue roof tops. The first level of the boat is open (minus the back section) and has a high ceiling that is held up with posts. On first level is cargo, such as wooden planks, stacks of lumber, and barrels. The second level is enclosed with seven brown doors on each side and one on each end. There are windows all around and raised skylights. The third level contains the captains booth that is painted white on the lower half and unpainted wood with windows on upper half. Booth has a red light on front-left and green light on front-right. The booth reads "Far West" on the front and sides, while the back is left blank. The back has a ladder that leads into the booth. There are two tall, black smoke stacks in front of the ship, extending out of the second level. The rear of the second level contains two small compartments, probably toilets. The back of the boat contains the round paddle, which is unpainted wood with black wheels and joints. There are two pink dinghies/ launches towards the rear, on the roof of the second level. Mounted on a dark wood base, on a painted beige base, on a light wood base. |
Date |
2002 |
Creator |
Parsons, Charles |
Role |
Artist |
Creator |
Wiseman, William |
Role |
Designer |
Medium |
Wood |
Catalog Number |
2007.045.002 |
Collection |
3D - Documentary Objects |
Inscription Text |
"FAR WEST / 1876 / MODEL BY / CHARLES H. PARSONS / 2002" (inscribed on brass plaque affixed to base) |
Provenance |
Constructed by Charles H. Parsons at his home in San Carlos. |
Notes |
Far West American Steam-Powered Riverboat, 1870 Model by Charles Parsons, Model Plans by William Wiseman 1:96 scale, Completed 2002 The Far West was a typical upper-Missouri "mountain boat." It could carry 200 tons of cargo and 30 passengers through shallow waters. In addition, the Far West was equipped with "grasshoppers." These were wooden spars that could be used like crutches to walk a grounded boat to deep water. In 1876, the United States Army chartered the boat to carry supplies to Lt. Col. George Custer. After the Battle of the Little Big Horn, the Far West’s Captain Grant Marsh spurred the vessel to dash 700 miles in 54 hours to bring the wounded survivors to Fort Lincoln. The Far West snagged and was lost on the Missouri River near St. Charles in 1883. |
Search Terms |
Far West (ship) Model Ships Models Parsons, Charles H. Ships Shipwreck Shipwrecks War Ships Wiseman, William Working Ships |
Subjects |
Ships Model ships Models Working ships Warships Shipwrecks |
People |
Parsons, Charles H. Wiseman, William |
Credit line |
Courtesy of Mrs. Charles (Suzanne E.) Parsons |